• Premier League

Toure reveals skipper snub from manager Mancini

ESPNsoccernet staff
September 8, 2010
Carlos Tevez joined Manchester City after a spell with Manchester United © Getty Images
Enlarge

Kolo Toure has revealed that he lost the captain's armband at Manchester City as manager Roberto Mancini believes extra responsibility will bring the best out of Carlos Tevez.

Toure became City skipper following his £15 million move from Arsenal last summer and retained the armband following the appointment of Mancini in December.

However, it was Tevez who started the season with the honour of wearing the armband, with Mancini hoping that the Argentina international can follow the example of his countryman and former national team coach Diego Maradona, who proved an inspiration at Italian club Napoli.

"The boss came to see me at the start of the season and told me he had a difficult decision to make," Toure said. "He broke the news that he would be making Carlos captain, in order that he would become a lot more involved with the club's squad.

"He even quoted the example of Diego Maradona at Napoli, who worked wonders once he had been appointed their captain.

"I told him it was not a problem and accepted his decision. I'm not more important than the team and the decision was taken for the benefit of Manchester City."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices